Londonderry girls lacrosse gets a lift from win over Merrimack (video)

MERRIMACK - Kelly Gordon knew what the Londonderry High School girls lacrosse team was in for during the first week of the season.

That didn't make it any easier on the first-year coach or the Lancers, losing two games to Bishop Guertin by a combined 25 goals.

Londonderry took a step toward what Gordon is hoping it can be, as the Lancer offense scored throughout Monday's game against Merrimack in a 20-1 win.

Jenna Stowell led Londonderry (1-2) with four goals while Caroline Leone added three goals and an assist and Grace Holland also had three goals. Kiara Edmunds had two goals and two assists and Tara Wright also scored twice.

Also getting goals were Izzy Augusta, Emily Cowette, Katie McCudden, Lilah Melia, Victoria Savage and Sarah Tsestilas. For McCudden, a senior who usually plays defense, and Melia and Savage, who are both freshmen, it was their first varsity goal.

"We knew from the get-go, individually, we’ve got some athletes and we’ve got girls that we feel confident in. It’s never been a one-star show. Everyone should feel valuable because everyone is valuable. It helps build a stronger team and helps build more confidence in your teammates. It’s not ‘oh we have to funnel it to this player.’ It makes you more dynamic and tougher competition."

Lily Marshall had the lone goal for Merrimack (0-3) while Kaeleigh Leone made 10 saves and Emma Shorette had eight.

Londonderry got out to a 6-0 lead less than 10 minutes into the game, as the Lancers were able to run their offense and see how they worked together at that end of the field.

"We were really trying to focus on our plays and trying to feel that movement," Stowell said. "We’re doing it in practice, but it’s obviously different in a game. Against BG, we didn’t get to work on them. We’re working on plays and getting our offensive movement."

Between last year's cancelled season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the lack of scrimmages in the preseason, and the limited offensive opportunities against Bishop Guertin, the win on Monday was the first time in a while that Londonderry was able to run a lot of its plays against another team.

"The plays are going to work if there is repetition," Gordon said. "We do it in practice and it’s just different in a game. To see that it gets us a goal and it gets us a win, I think there’s more buy-in, and really, it turns that into focus. Knowing that the coaches, we don’t just say things. There’s a method to our madness. Seeing it work brings a new energy level and willingness to try it."

The lead was 11-1 at halftime and Londonderry was able to work more players into the offense in the second half. After the last year, the Lancers felt great just being on a field and working together.

"It’s felt really great," Stowell said. "We missed last season. We kept in touch, but I hadn’t seen some of these girls in a long time, with COVID and online school. It’s really great to be back out here win or lose.

"With BG, we knew they were one of the best teams, but we were still able to keep our heads up. We expected to have some wins throughout the season. It’s nice to get a win."

Londonderry will host Merrimack at 4 p.m. on Thursday and then host Exeter on Saturday for a 10 a.m. start.

"A big theme for us has been accountability and controlling what we can control," Gordon said. "For us, that’s the small things, and that’s the difference between a win and a loss. We’re focusing on what we can focus on. Those groundballs, those transitions, marking up, getting comfortable with each other, those are things we can control."